January 30
Faithful
Steps
“I have kept the ways of the Lord. I’m not guilty of turning away from my God.”
Psalm 18:21 (NIrV)
Elijah sat by the window of the bus, watching the city lights blur past as dusk settled over the streets. His phone buzzed in his hand, and he glanced at the group chat. "Weekend plans: same spot at 7. Don’t forget the good stuff!" He chuckled softly, but a faint heaviness crept into his chest.
It had all started as harmless fun—a way to unwind after the long workweek. Elijah and his friends would meet up, share some laughs, and pass around a joint or two. It was just on the weekends, so it felt like no big deal. “I’ve got my life together,” Elijah reasoned. He held down a steady job, helped his younger siblings when they needed him, and even went to church with his grandma every once in a while.
But lately, there was this nagging feeling. After every weekend, Elijah felt less sure of himself. A quiet voice deep inside asked, “Is this what you were made for?”
That Sunday, Elijah accompanied his grandma to church. The pastor’s message was on Psalm 18, and he spoke about remaining faithful to God, even when it required difficult decisions. The words struck Elijah like lightning: “I have kept the ways of the Lord. I’m not guilty of turning away from my God.”
Elijah couldn’t shake those words as he rode the bus home that evening. Staring out the window, he began to see how he’d been justifying choices that weren’t drawing him closer to God but further away.
The following Friday, Elijah’s phone buzzed again as the group made their usual plans. He hesitated, feeling torn. Then he whispered a quiet prayer: “Lord, I don’t want to keep living like this. Help me honor You, even when it’s tough.”
That night, instead of meeting his friends, Elijah stayed home. The first weekend was hard—he felt isolated, even questioned his decision. But as the weeks passed, he started filling his time with new activities—volunteering at a food bank, reconnecting with his love for painting, and spending time in prayer.
Elijah felt lighter, freer, and more at peace. Choosing God’s ways, he realized, wasn’t about being perfect but about taking intentional steps toward Him. And each step brought him closer to the person God had called him to be.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your gentle reminders to choose what is right and pleasing in Your sight.
Like Elijah, we face decisions that challenge our faith and commitment to You.
Give us the courage to walk away from anything that pulls us away from Your presence.
Fill our hearts with the joy and peace that come from following You.
Help us to trust that Your ways lead to true freedom and purpose.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
